Umbrella tent



UMBRELLA T Filed June 14, 1955 2 Sheets- 1 NVERITOR,

CU/"7%y Feb. 17, 1959 Filed June 14, 1955 J. w. MCCARTHY 2,873,750

UMBRELLA TENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 UMBRELLA TENT Joseph W. McCarthy, Evanston, Ill., assignor to Sears, goelfiuck and (10., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of New Application June 14, 1955, Serial No. 515,390 11Claims. c1. 135-1) porting structure including a center pole, diagonal ridge poles and more or less horizontal struts extending from the center pole to the ridge poles for supporting the latter, the ridge poles and struts usually being collapsible to permit convenient transport.

In standard umbrella tents the struts are usually below head level, so that an occupant cannot move about the interior of the tent without bumping his head or ducking whenever he walks beneath a strut. My improved construction contemplates the erection of'struts above normal head level and preferably above the caves of the tent.

Furthermore, in the ordinary umbrella tent the canvas cover is attached to the ridge poles, as by pegs and grommets, and when the canvas shrinks, as it invariably does when it becomes wet, the canvas is likely to tear. Furthermore, leakage of rain through the grommets is likely to occur. In some of the umbrella tents heretofore known, the canvas has been made with separate roof and wall portions to avoid this problem. This involves considerable added expense in the fabrication of the canvas as well as rendering erection of the tent much more complicated and laborious.

In my improved construction I provide a tent wherein the canvas cover is made in one'pieee, including the roof and side walls, and is supported only by means of diagonal ridge poles and without any special attachment at the eaves. I further provide diagonal ridge poles which terminate at their lower extremities in resilient arcuate eave portions which provide more or less tangential supports for the canvas, whereby yielding of the supporting structure is permitted when the canvas shrinks in the wetting thereof, thus preventing such damage to the canvas as is likely to occur when a one-piece cover is attached'to the support. This is an extremely important and advantageous feature because of the inevitable changes in weather normally encountered in a camping expedition.

Various other advantages of my invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring now to the drawings forming apart of this specification and illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary vertical elevational view showing the upper portion of a tent embodying my invention, certain parts being shown in section; a

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the same showing the dome taken from a position indicated by the line 2+2 of Fig. 1; T

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 of Fig. l;

. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view,-with certain parts cut away for added clearness, andillustrating the juncture between the center poleand struts;

2,873,750 Pa tented Feb. 17, 1959 ice Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan section taken substantially along the line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan-section taken substantially along the line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view, similar to Fig. 1, showing a modified form of my invention;

Fig. 8 isa plan view taken substantially along the line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary plan view taken substantially along the line 9--9 of Fig. 7, the fabric being omitted;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary elevational view, partly in section, showing the juncture of certain parts of the supporting structure;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 11-11 of Fig. 10; and g j Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 10, showing a modified construction.

My improved umbrella tent comprises asupport including a center pole 10 which may be of any-suitable material, such as wood, metal, etc. This element as-well as the other parts of the supporting structure is preferably formed of aluminum or other lightweight tubing. Se-

' cured to the top of the center pole is a conical peakor dome member 12. Said peak member may be secured to the center pole by any suitable means, as by a key 15.

As part of the supporting structure I also provide a plurality of ridge poles 18, in this case four thereof, which may be solid or tubular. At their upper extremities said poles or ribs 18 are compressed and pierced to form bearing elements 19 (Fig. 3) which are pivotally secured to bifurcated trunnions 20 formed on peak member 12.

It will be noted that the lower extremity of each of the ridge poles 18 terminates in an arcuate portion 25, the terminal portions thereof, as indicated at 26, being preferably substantially vertical. The purpose of this design will be hereinafter explained. If desired, the terminal portions of the arcs 25 may extend inwardly, away from the canvas.

Intermediate the ends of eachof the ridge poles 18is mounted a supporting bar or spreader 30, the outer terminal portion of the latter being bifurcated and pivotally connected by a pintle 32 to the arm or ridge pole 18, as seen in Fig. 6. v

The inner extremity of each of the spreaders 30 is compressed and pierced to form a bearing portion 35 which is pivotally connected as by a pintle 36 to abifur cated portion 38 of a spider 40, the latter being slidably disposed on center pole 10, as seen best in Figs. 1 and 5. A suitable stop member such as a ring 42 is secured, as by a set screw, to the center pole to limit the upward movement of spider 40 and asuitable yieldable latch member 45 of well known or other suitable design is provided to retain the spider in its upper position.

The operation of the supporting structure is believed to be obvious from the drawings, said structure being collapsible in a manner similar to an umbrella, taking the position shown in dot-dash lines in Fig. 1 when the tent is not in use. 1

It is also believed to be readily apparent that, by means of my improved support, the canvas tent cover may'be fabricated in a singlepiece, the roof and side walls being unitary, said coverbeing indicated by the numeral 50. Those skilled in the art will understand that a one-piece tent of canvas or like material will be cut in sections of appropriate size and shape, said sections being sewed or otherwise secured together. No special attachment is required between the cover 50 and the supportingstructure, that is, the cover is supported freely by the. ridge ,poles and disposed freely over the arcuate free lower extremities of the ridge poles, the cover being secured to the ground J) bymeans of pegs spaced around the bottom thereof in the usual manner.

The cover extends over the dome-shaped peak member- 12 atthe top of the ridge pole without any attachment at this point, a reinforcing piece 53 preferably being stitched to the cover 50 at this point. Thus, there is a minimum of wear at the top of the cover.

As stated above, the diagonal ridge poles 13 are preferably formed of somewhat resilient material, at least from the hinge point 32 to the arcuate portions there- 4 of. Thus, when the tent cover 50 shrinks, as when it becomes wet, it will tend to be drawn inwardly and the resilient character of the arcuate portions 25 of the ridge poles--18 will readily permit inward yielding thereof, thus substantially eliminating wear and damage at this point, such as commonly occurs in umbrella tents when made inone'piece. -By reason of the arcuate portions 25, there is no protruding element to dig into the canvas to tear or unduly wear the fabric when shrinkage occurs.

The modification shown in Figs. 7-12, inclusive, incorporates all of the'desirable features of my invention, as described above with reference to the embodiment of Figs.- 1-6, inclusive, and differs from the latter primarily in that it lacks a center pole and thus provides added space within the tent and is more convenient in that it permits unobstructed movement therein.

In this embodiment is a spider 60 to provide the peak of the tent-supporting structure, said spider having a center cavity 62therein and a plurality of bifurcated ears 65 to which are pivotally connected ridge poles 67. The latter have eyes 68 formed on the end thereof through which extend pintles '70, as seen clearly in Fig. 9.

Spreaders 75 in this embodiment connect opposite corners of the tent; hence in a square tent I provide a pair of such spreaders. These spreaders are, for convenience in packing, preferably formed of a pair of telescopic elements, as best seen in Fig. 7, a suitable latch 76 being pro-- vided for detachably locking the spreader elements in extended position. This latch 76 may take any desired form, many suitable constructions being well known in the art.

As in the former embodiment, the spreaders are connected to the ridge poles 67 at a point spaced above the ends of said poles, the end portions of the poles, as indicated at 77, being bent inwardly and downwardly in arcuate' formation to provide free cave-like elements '78. At least these end portions of the ridge poles are resilient for the same reason as described above with reference to the other embodiment, namely, to permit flexing when the canvas shrinks.

At the points of juncture between each ridge pole 6'7 and spreaders 75 I provide a sleeve-like bracket 80, said bracket, in the form shown in Figs. 10 and 11, embracing the ridge pole and extending downwardly therefrom to form a pair of parallel hanger plates 82 connected by means of a pintle 83. Pivotally attached to the pintle within the hanger plates 82 is an angular bar 35, preferably tubular. The arms of the angle bar 85, as best seen in Fig. 10, are formed at such an angle to each other that when the upper arm thereof is disposed approximately horizontally the lower arm will lie at the desired angle to support a diagonal post or strut 87 at the proper angle.

It will be apparent that the arms of the angle member 85 serve as male studs which seat within the ends of the tubular spreaders 75 and strus $7. The latter are col lapsible and are secured in extended relation as by suitable latch members 33.

It will be apparent that the embodiment just described is extremely convenient in many respects. The struts 87 as well as the spreaders 77 being detachable from the main frame and collapsible, the frame may be folded up and packed in a'relatively small and compact bundle.

It will be apparent that when it is desired to erect the tent, the ridge poles 67 are spread and the spreaders 75 are arranged on the angle member 85, and then the canvas cover 50 is arranged over the ridge poles 67 in proper position and the latter is raised by inserting one of the struts 87 within the socket 62 of spider 69. When these parts have been raised to the necessary height, the erector strut is removed from the spider and it and its fellow struts 87 are then applied to the downwardly extending studs of angle members'85. After the struts are arranged at the proper angle the canvas is pegged to the ground in the usual manner.

Fig. 12 shows a somewhat modified juncture means. In this case an arcuate plate 90 is secured to ridge pole 67, as by soldering or welding, angle member being fixedly secured to plate as by soldering, as indicated I am well aware that umbrella tents are generally of old design. However, my invention is believed to represent an improvement over such previously known structures, as represented, for example, by United States Patent to Frederick No. 1,801,913, dated April 21, 1931, where the canvas tent cover is supported by rigid ridge poles.

In such structures, when the canvas becomes wet, it will be drawn tightly over the ends of the ridge poles, thus producing great wear and strain, and ultimately said poles are likely to poke holes in the canvas.

So far as I am aware, the only alternatives previously known to this arrangement have been the fabrication in separate parts of the roof and side walls of the tent, a solution which involves disadvantages as previously stated, or spring-loading the center pole to permit its yielding, this being an expensive arrangement.

My invention, on the other hand, permits the fabrication of the tent cover in a single piece, and this simplicity of construction permits minimum cost, maximum ease of erecting and striking the tent, while greatly extending the effective life thereof.

Various changes coming within the spirit of my invention may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. Hence, I do not wish to be limited to the specific embodiment shown and described or uses mentioned, but intend the same to be merely exemplary, the scope of my invention being limited only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A tent, comprising a supporting structure and a flexible cover said supporting structure comprising a plurality of outwardly and downwardly extending substantially straight ridge poles, each of said ridge poles having a free lower end portion downwardly bent with respect to the upper straight portion of said ridge poles, said downward ly bent portion being of sufiicient resiliency to permit inward flexing thereof when the cover supported thereon shrinks, said flexible cover being supported freely by said ridge poles and disposed freely over said free lower end portions of said ridge poles, said cover extending below said free lower end portions toward the ground, the lower end of said cover being adapted to be secured to the ground, the entire supporting structure being internal of said cover.

2. A tent, comprising a supporting structure and a flexible cover, said supporting structure comprising a center pole, a peak member secured to the upper end of said center pole, a plurality of outwardly and downwardly extending substantially straight ridge poles, each of said ridge poles having a free lower end portion downwardly bent with respect to the upper straight portion of said ridge poles, said downwardly bent portion being of sufficient resiliency to permit inward flexing thereof when the flexible cover supported thereon shrinks, the upper ends of said ridge poles being pivotally secured to said peak member, spreaders secured to the ridge poles intermediate the ends of the latter, one end of each spreader being pivotal ly secured to a ridge pole, the other end thereof being securedto a collar slidable on said center pole below said peak member, said spreaders, when the tent is erected,

bracing said ridge poles in substantially fixed position above said spreaders while permitting the free resilient lower end portions of said ridge poles therebelow to flex when inward and downward force is applied thereto, and means for latching said collar in position when the support is erected, said flexible cover being supported freely by said ridge poles and disposed freely over said lower end portions of said ridge poles, said cover extending below said free lower end portions toward the ground, the lower end of said cover being adapted to be secured to the ground, the entire supporting structure being internal of said cover.

3. A tent as recited in claim 1 including ground engaging means comprising a plurality of struts secured to said ridge poles intermediate the ends thereof.

4. A support for a pyramidal tent comprising a peak member, a plurality of outwardly and downwardly extending substantially straight ridge poles, each of said ridge poles having a free lower end portion downwardly bent with respect to the upper straight portion of said ridge poles, said downwardly bent portion being of suffieient resiliency to permit inward flexing thereof when a flexible cover supported thereon shrinks, the upper ends of said ridge poles being pivotally secured to said peak member, spreaders secured to the ridge poles intermediate the ends of the latter, said spreaders, when the tent is erected, bracing said ridge poles in substantially fixed position above said spreaders while permitting the free resilient lower end portions of said ridge poles therebelow to flex when inward and downward force is applied thereto, said spreaders being positioned internally of the structure defined by the ridge poles, and ground engaging means for supporting the spreaders and ridge poles comprising a plurality of diagonal ground engaging struts secured to the ridge poles intermediate the ends of the latter and normally extending outwardly and downwardly from the point of attachment to said ridge poles.

5 The combination of a structure as defined in claim 4 and a flexible tent cover supported freely thereon, said cover extending below the free lower end portions of said ridge poles toward the ground, the lower end of said cover being adapted to be secured to the ground.

6. A tent support as defined in claim 4 wherein each spreader extends between, and is detachably secured to, opposed ridge poles.

7. A tent support as recited in claim 6 wherein said spreaders are collapsible, with means for locking them in extended position.

8. A support as recited in claim 4 including a bracket carried by each ridge pole at a point spaced above the free end portion thereof, a spreader and a strut being detachably secured to each of said brackets.

9. A support as recited in claim 8 wherein said spreaders and struts are pivotally attached to said brackets.

10. A tent, comprising a supporting structure and a flexible cover, said supporting structure comprising a plurality of outwardly and downwardly extending substantially straight ridge poles, each of said ridge poles having a free lower end portion downwardly bent with respect to the upper straight portion of said ridge poles, said downwardly bent portion being of suflicient resiliency to permit inward flexing thereof when the flexible cover supported thereon shrinks, spreaders secured to the ridge poles intermediate the ends of the latter, said spreaders when the tent is erected bracing said ridge poles in substantially fixed position above said spreaders while permitting the free resilient lower end portions of said ridge poles therebelow to flex when inward and downward force is applied thereto, and ground engaging means for supporting the spreaders and ridge poles, said spreaders being positioned internally of the structure defined by the ridge poles, said flexible cover being supported freely by said ridge poles and disposed freely over said free lower end portions of said ridge poles, said cover extending below said free lower end portions toward the ground, the lower end of said cover being adapted to be secured to the ground, the entire supporting structure being internal of said cover.

11. A support for a pyramidal tent, comprising a plurality of outwardly and downwardly extending substantially straight ridge poles, each of said ridge poles having a free lower end portion downwardly bent with respect to the upper straight portion of said ridge poles, said downwardly bent portion being of sufficient resiliency to permit inward flexing thereof when a flexible cover supported thereon shrinks, spreaders secured to the ridge poles intermediate the ends of the latter, said spreaders, when the tent is erected, bracing said ridge poles in substantially fixed position above said spreaders while permitting the free lower end portions of said ridge poles therebelow to flex when inward and downward force is applied thereto, and ground engaging means for supporting the spreaders and ridge poles, said spreaders being positioned internally of the structure defined by the ridge poles, said ground engaging means comprising a plurality of struts secured to the ridge poles intermediate the ends of the latter, said struts normally extending outwardly and downwardly from the point of attachment to the ridge poles, leaving the central portion of the structure unobstructed below said spreaders.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 32,861 Dans July 23, 1861 33,472 Bancroft Oct. 15, 1861 102,830 Kemper May 10, 1870 379,274 Hamilton Mar. 13, 1888 860,379 Hodes July 16, 1907 1,208,097 Collins et a1. Dec. 12, 1916 1,520,719 Pilkinton Dec. 30, 1924 1,818,545 Eriksson Aug. 11, 1931 2,466,595 Korman Apr. 5, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 285,484 Great Britain Apr. 4, 1929 442,987 Italy Dec. 3, 1948 

